56th Academy Awards

Johnny Carson once again serves as our host for the evening. Universal had put Tender Mercies out on TV and on VHS because of poor screen test performance and put little effort into campaigning for it. Linda Hunt became the first actor to win for playing a character of opposite sex. Star Wars Episode V: The Return Of The Jedi was given a Special Achievement Award for visual effects. M.J. Frankovich was given a Special Achievement Award and Hal Roach was given an honorary Oscar for his contributions to motion pictures